Lee positive after World League final defeat to Australia

01 July 2013 / 00:17

England head coach Jason Lee was determined to accentuate the positives after a comprehensive defeat by Australia in the final of the hockey World League in London.

Goals from Ashleigh Nelson, Kellie White and Emily Smith secured a 3-0 victory for the Hockeyroos but Lee was content to finish second in the eight team tournament - and guarantee qualification for next year's World Cup in Holland.

"We are disappointed with the loss but overall I think we can be really pleased with how the week has gone," he said.

"Three months ago we were slightly worried about World Cup qualification but I like the fact that we have smashed that.

"I think the team has grown through the tournament, we just didn’t have enough fitness to get us through but that will come in time.

"I’m very pleased with how they did; I thought their commitment was brilliant and their skill level was great.”

Australia disappointed at the London 2012 Olympics but England captain Kate Walsh is predicting they will be a force to be reckoned with on the road to Rio - with the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow the next targets.

In the meantime Walsh is looking to the forthcoming European Championships with confidence.

"It’s never nice to lose a match, especially in a final, but hats off to Australia; I thought they played a fantastic tournament," she said.

"Around the circle they looked like Aussie teams of old. Overall we developed through the tournament like Jason said, and as a young team going forward I think we have a bright future.

"The Europeans is on the horizon and I’d certainly like to go and get something better than a bronze medal this time; I’ve got five of them already."